Headwear that protects hairstyle

ABSTRACT

The invention teaches a hat that has an slit formed on a wall that is designed to allow hair or objects attached to not be contacted by a hat when worn. A flap connects to the hat and covers the slit to protect a wearers head from the environment and maintain shape of the hat. In an embodiment, the flap may be interchangeable to change the design of the hat.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to headdress or headwear. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to hats that are shaped anddesigned to allow for a hair style or objects therein to protrudethrough hat.

B. Description of the Related Art

When a person has a hairstyle that may include objects attached to theirhair, it is difficult to wear headdress not limited to a hat, cap,bonnet, toque, etc., because the integrity of the hairstyle and orobjects may be compromised requiring the hairstyle to be redone ortouched up in many situations upon removing the headwear. Furthermore,depending on the style of the hair and or objects, the headdress may notfit properly over the head of the wearer as the hairstyle may cause abulge for example.

Existing designs involve a permanent hole or opening in a hat thatallows hair to be routed therethrough. For example, US 2011/0173739(Riesen et al.) for an Invisible Zipper Ponytail Cap, discloses a capthat has an opening formed about the crown, wherein the opening may bemodified by a zipper. The opening is limited to the crown region. U.S.Pat. No. 5,321,854 (Kronenberger) for Headwear Piece with Opening toAccommodate Wearer's Hair, also discloses a cap that has an openingformed about the crown. The hole is not able to be manipulated.

The aforesaid references both require an opening or hole to exist aboutthe crown of the hat. A consequence of having a defined hole is that theutility of the hat may be limited to certain hair styles that originateabout the crown of the head and furthermore, the permanent hole alsodefeats the purpose of a winter hat, for example, by allowing cold airto enter when the hole is in use. Additionally, because the aforesaidhats provide for a hair design that originates about the crown, the hatshave an obvious element that makes the hat stand out as such,particularly when a wearer does not have a hairstyle that requires needor use of such a hole suggesting that a wearer have an alternate hatwhen not seeking to protect a hairstyle. Furthermore, aforesaid hats donot provide for an opening when a hairstyle does not originate about thecrown.

There is a need in the art for a hat that provides the necessary use andprotection such that there is no permanent opening in the crown region,which also provides for multiple hair styles, and provides for fashionsense when the hat is not being used to protect a hairstyle.

II. SUMMARY

The current invention comprises a headdress or hat that allows a portionof hair to protrude from the hat. In an embodiment, a slit is formed inthe rear or posterior portion of a hat, for example, about the crown,and the slit may continue vertically to a lower edge of the hat, whereinthe lower edge defines an opening to the hat. Additionally, a flapcovers the slit and connects to the hat such that hair is allowed topass there through while the wearer's head is completely covered. It isan embodiment of the invention that the flap may be releseably connectedto the hat and interchangeable.

An advantage of an embodiment of the instant invention is that it allowsa wearer to open the back of a hat and secure it about a hairstyle, suchas a ponytail or braid. It is a further embodiment of the invention thatthe hat can be easily worn and adjusted by a child such that they can goto school and put on the claimed hat unassisted, and ensure theirhead—and optionally their ears—are protected from the elements such ascold air, snow, wind, etc.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the invention is that when thewearer of the hat does not want to use the hat to protect a hairstyle,the hat may be used as a regular hat that is stylish and not necessarilyidentified by its purpose of protecting a hairstyle.

Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the invention, is that itprovides a wearer with the ability to change the look of a hat merely byexchanging and or replacing the flap (or segment thereof) with anotherflap (or segment thereof) that can have a different color, shape,design, material and so on, provided that the replacement flap hasconnecting means that can coordinating with connecting means disposedabout the hat.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, some embodiments of which will be described in the specificationand illustrated in accompanying drawings which form a part hereof,wherein, when referring to the drawings, the inventor identifies thefollowing components thereto,

10, 40 and 45—flaps that cover a portion of 30—slit/opening that allowshair, hairstyle, and or objects to protrude; 35—origin of slit, saidslit being defined by opposing edges 31, 32;20—complimentary/interchangeable connecting means to connect saidflap(s) with hat; and, 50—elective ear protectors, wherefore,

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a hat according to theinstant invention that includes elective ear protectors 50. As shown,the hat and flap 10 are in a closed position, wherein slit 30 (notshown) is covered.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the hat according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,wherein covered slit 30 is shown in broken lines. As shown, depending onthe need of a wearer, the view may be of the front of the hat or therear of the hat.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the hat according to the embodiment of FIG. 1wherein flap 10 extends in an outward direction and in an open position,thereby exposing slit/opening 30.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the hat according to the embodiment of FIG.4, wherefore slit/opening 30 is exposed, and complimentary connectingmeans 20 are shown to be disposed about flap 10 and said hat. As shown,depending on the need of a wearer, the view may be of the front of thehat or the rear of the hat.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the hat according to the embodiment FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a rear, perspective view of the hat according to theembodiment in FIG. 1, when the hat is just placed on a wearer's head. Asshown, the hat is in an open position, whereby flap 10 is open andexposing slit/opening to allow for clearance of a hair or objectsconnected thereto, such as a ponytail as shown, which may protrude aboutthe upper crown of a wearer's head, for example.

FIG. 8 shows the same view of the hat according to the embodiment inFIG. 7, wherein the hat is in a closed position and flap 10 is closed,wherein hair protrudes slit 30 and flap 10 at about the upper crownregion of the wearer's head.

FIG. 9 shows a rear, perspective view of the hat according to theembodiment in FIG. 1, when the hat is just placed on a wearer's head. Asshown, the hat is in an open position, whereby flap 10 is open andexposing slit/opening to allow for clearance of a hair or objectsconnected thereto, such as a ponytail as shown, which may protrude aboutthe lower crown of a wearer's head, for example.

FIG. 10 shows the same view of the hat according to the embodiment inFIG. 9, wherein the hat is in a closed position and flap 10 is closed,wherein hair protrudes slit 30 and flap 10 at about the lower crownregion of the wearer's head.

FIG. 11 shows the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1, with flap10 in a closed position without hair, style or object, intentionallyprotruding slit 30, but instead, exiting from the bottom of the hat.

FIG. 12 shows the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1, away from awearer's head, with flap 10 in an open position.

FIG. 13 shows a view of another embodiment of the instant invention,without elective ear protectors, and wherein alternating flaps 40, 45extend from edges 32, 31 (respectively) of slit 30, as shown in a closedposition. As shown, depending on the need of a wearer, the view may beof the front of the hat, the rear of the hat, or a side.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective of the hat according to the embodiment inFIG. 13, wherein flaps 40, 45 are in an open position, exposing theslit/opening 30 and complimentary connection means 20.

FIG. 15 shows a rear view of another embodiment of the instant inventionwherein flap 10 is removeable and interchangeable, and as shown may beconsidered to be in a closed position. As shown, depending on the needof a wearer, the view may be of the front of the hat or the rear of thehat.

FIG. 16 shows the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 15, with flap10 removed, and the hat is in an open position with slit 30 exposed.Broken lines indicate an embodiment of how complimentary connectingmeans 20 may orientate accordingly.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-16, the hat of the instant invention is for a hatthat may comprise at least one wall that forms a substantially hollowsemioval shape. The hat may have a closed upper portion 15 to contact aportion of a wearer's head, and an open lower portion, below said upperportion, that defines a lower edge which substantially surrounds a firstopening of the hat 25 and which is used to accept a portion of awearer's head.

A second opening or slit 30 is formed on the wall of the hat that isshaped and sized to allow for hair, or objects attached thereto, toavoid being contacted by the wall of the hat when the hat is put on awearer's head. A flap 10 is shaped and sized to substantially cover thesecond opening 30 when in a closed position, but allow for hair or otherobjects to pass therethrough.

As shown, slit 30 (i.e., second opening of the hat) has an origin 35that is defined by a first edge 31 and a second edge 32 which extendfrom said origin 35 lengths l₁ and l₂ respectively, and which terminateat the lower edge of the hat. Slit 30 may be located anywhere about saidwall not limited to the rear of the head, temple, rear or fore region,for example, provided that when said hat is worn, any hair, hairstyle,or object connected thereto should be allowed to protrude the hat, viaslit 30 and not be damaged, tangled, or otherwise affected. In theembodiment for example, when there are no ear protectors, the hat may bemerely rotated such that the slit 30 may be positioned about a wearer'shead to accommodate for a hairstyle, object, or for fashionable reasons.

Flap 10, has a first end 110 and a second end 120 that defines a width,w therebetween. In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the firstend 110 of the flap 10 connects to the wall of said hat at a first area,and the second end 120 of flap 10 connects to the wall of said hat at asecond area, wherein a portion of the width substantially covers slit30. As shown, the first end 110 of said flap 10 comprises a length l₃that is at least about l₂ or greater, and connects to the wall of saidhat about the second edge 31. Additionally, the second end 120 of theflap 10 comprises a length l₄ that is at least about l₁ or greater andconnects to the wall of the hat about the first edge 32 as shown. Asshown in FIGS. 1-12, flap 10 originates from along the length of edge 31and extends a sufficient distance such that it can completely cover theopening formed by slit 30, and be able to connect to complimentaryconnecting means 20 disposed about the hat. As shown, said complimentarymeans 20 are disposed about edge 31. It is an object of the inventionthat flap 10 (including flaps 40 and 45, discussed herein) can wrapabout the hat less than a rotation or more. Accordingly, it is withinthe scope of the invention that flap 10 could pass over the face of awearer and provide extra protection against weathering, for example.

It is an embodiment of the invention that ends of the flap may bepermanently or releseably connected to the hat. As shown in FIGS. 15 and16, both ends 110 and 120 may be releseably connected to that hat byconnection means 20 disposed about said ends and about the area of saidhat, wherein said means 20 are interchangeable and may becorresponding/complimentary means not limited to buttons and holes, hookand loop, snaps and other known means. It is an embodiment of theinvention that in an example wherein the hat may be knitted, buttons(i.e., connecting means 20 disposed about flap 10) may randomly connectwith holes inherent to the knit, therefore allowing a user to adjust thetightness of the flap based on need. It is further within the scope ofthe invention that flap is knitted and or comprises a series of holesand or connecting means as well.

FIGS. 1-12 provide the example whereby one end of flap 10 may beintegrally connected to the wall of the hat at the second area(therefore not shown) by virtue of it being an extension of the hatitself or by similar long-lasting effects such as stitching or glue, forexample. As shown, connecting means 20 are disposed about edge 110 offlap 10 and correspond to connecting means 20 disposed about edge 31.Said connecting means 20 are interchangeable and may becorresponding/complimentary means not limited to buttons and holes, hookand loop, snaps and other known means. It is an embodiment of theinvention that in an example wherein the hat may be knitted, buttons(i.e., connecting means 20 disposed about flap 10) may randomly connectwith holes inherent to the knit, therefore allowing a user to adjust thetightness of the flap 10 based on need. It is further within the scopeof the invention that flap is knitted and or comprises a series of holesand or connecting means as well.

It is an embodiment of the invention that hair may protrude and orescape from the hat through slit 30 past flap 10, as shown in FIGS. 7and 8, wherein a ponytail that originates about the crown of thewearer's head may protrude and or escape the hat by the crown 35 area.As shown, the protruding hair maintains and or creates its own exit, byforcing the upper portion of flap 10 away. The integrity of flap 10 andor the integrity of the formed exit opening is maintained by connectingmeans 20. As shown, hair protrudes above connecting means 20, which havevertical orientation and spacing between each means 20. As shown inFIGS. 1-12, there is a lower connecting means 20 which is located aboutthe base of the hat and there is an upper connecting means 20thereabove. It is however within the scope of the invention thatconnecting means 20 may be randomly or completely disposed about alength of edge 31, for example, so long as there is sufficient room toallow hair to pass therethrough and flap 10 is also be able to coverslit 30.

FIGS. 9 and 10 provide an example of an embodiment of the inventionwherein the orientation of connecting means 20 is the same as FIGS. 7and 8. The embodiment however provides an example which shows how ahairstyle, like a pony tail, may originate in an area such as the lowercrown region of a person's head, so that said hair may escape throughslit 30 between the area provided by spacing of connecting means 20 whenflap 10 is in a closed position.

Flap 10 may be composed of the same material as the hat or it may be anymaterial capable of being connected to the hat by means not limited tosewing, threading, stitching, snap, hook and loop or an adhesive, forexample. It is an embodiment of the invention that the flap 10 canoriginate about the temple or forehead region of the hat, wherein saidtemple and or forehead region is similar to the location of the templeand or forehead of a wearer when the hat is worn, provided that the flapcovers the slit/opening 30 and allows hair or objects attached theretoto pass therethrough.

FIGS. 13 and 14 provide an embodiment according to the instant inventionwherein flap 10 may be considered to be segmented into a first flap 40and second flap 45, which may be complimentary and or interchangeable.As shown, the first flap 40 has a first end 115 releseably connected tothe hat at a first area, and a second end integrally connected to thehat at a second area. In the embodiment as shown, the first flap 40 maybe considered to be extending from edge 32. The second flap 45 has afirst end 125 releseably connected to the hat at a second area, and afirst end integrally connected to the hat at a first area. In theembodiment as shown, the second flap is located below the first flap andmay be considered to be extending from edge 31. Connecting means 20 aredisposed about edge 110 of flap 45 which corresponds to connecting means20 disposed about the edge 31; and likewise, connecting means 20 aredisposed about edge 120 of flap 45 which corresponds to connecting means20 disposed about edge 32. In the embodiment, the hat provides for acrisscross-like pattern when the flaps are in a closed position asshown.

In view of the several embodiments presented herein, various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe Invention. It is intended that such obvious changes andmodifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A hat that comprises: at leastone wall that forms a substantially hollow semioval, that has a closedupper portion to contact a portion of a wearer's head, and an open lowerportion that defines a lower edge which substantially surrounds a firstopening used to accept a portion of a wearer's head; a second openingformed on the wall of the that that is shaped and sized to allow forhair, or objects attached thereto, to avoid being contacted by the wallof the hat when the hat is put on a wearer's head; and, a flap that issized and shaped to cover a portion of said second opening.
 2. The hataccording to claim 1 wherein the second opening comprises a slit thatoriginates on the wall of the hat and is defined by a first edge and asecond edge that extend from said origin and having lengths l₁ and l₂respectively, wherein said edges terminate at the lower edge of the hatforming a part.
 3. The hat according to claim 2, wherein the flap, has afirst end and a second end defining a width therebetween, and whereinthe first end of the flap connects to the wall of said hat at a firstarea, and the second of the flap connects to the wall of said hat at asecond area, wherein a portion of the width substantially covers theslit.
 4. The hat according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the flapconnects to the wall of said hat by virtue of being integrally formedtherein as an extension of the hat itself.
 5. The hat according to claim3, wherein the first end of the flap connects to the wall of said hat bymeans that include stitching or adhesive.
 6. The hat according to claim3, wherein connection means are disposed about the first end of the flapand about the first area of said hat, wherein said means arecomplimentary so that said first area and said first end can connect. 7.The hat according to claim 6, wherein connection means consist of meanssuch as hook-and-loop, buttons and holes, snaps, tacks, clasps, andadhesive.
 8. The hat according to claim 3, wherein connection means aredisposed about the second end of the flap and about a second area ofsaid hat, wherein said means are complimentary so that said second areaand said second end can connect.
 9. The hat according to claim 3 whereinthe first end and the second end of said flap is interchangeable. 10.The hat according to claim 3, whereby the first end of said flapcomprises a length that is about l₂ and connects to the wall of said hatabout the length of said second edge, and whereby the second end of theflap comprises a length that is about l₁ and connects to the wall ofsaid hat about the length of said first edge.
 11. A hat that comprises:at least one wall that forms a substantially hollow semioval, that has aclosed upper portion to contact a portion of a wearer's head, and anopen lower portion that defines a lower edge which substantiallysurrounds a first opening used to accept a portion of a wearer's head; asecond opening formed on the wall of the that that is shaped and sizedto allow for hair, or objects attached thereto, to avoid being contactedby the wall of the hat when the hat is put on a wearer's head; a firstflap that is sized and shaped to cover a first portion of said secondopening which is located above a second flap that is sized and shaped tocover a second portion of said second opening.
 12. The hat according toclaim 11 wherein the first flap and the second flap are complimentaryand interchangeable.
 13. The hat according to claim 11 wherein thesecond opening comprises a slit that originates on the wall of the hatand is defined by a first edge and a second edge that extend from saidorigin and having lengths l₁ and l₂ respectively, wherein said edgesterminate at the lower edge of the hat forming a part.
 14. The hataccording to claim 13, wherein the first flap, has a first end and asecond end defining a width therebetween, and wherein the first end ofthe first flap connects to the wall of said hat at a first area, and thesecond of the first flap connects to the wall of said hat at a secondarea, wherein a portion of the width substantially covers the slit. 15.The hat according to claim 14, wherein the first end of the first flapconnects to the wall of said hat by virtue of it being integrally formedtherein as an extension of the hat itself.
 16. The hat according toclaim 14, wherein the first end of the first flap connects to the wallof said hat by means that include stitching or adhesive.
 17. The hataccording to claim 14, wherein connection means are disposed about thefirst end of the first flap and about the first area of said hat,wherein said means are complimentary so that said first area and saidfirst end can connect.
 18. The hat according to claim 17, whereinconnection means consist of means such as hook-and-loop, buttons andholes, snaps, tacks, clasps, and adhesive.
 19. The hat according toclaim 14, whereby the first end of said flap comprises a length that isless than l₂ and connects to the wall of said hat about the length ofsaid second edge, and whereby the second end of the flap comprises alength that is less than l₁ and connects to the wall of said hat aboutthe length of said first edge.